Can switching to polling data from a SQL database instead of a file in a chat application lead to improved performance?

Currently developing a chat application and considering using a SQL database for it.

The challenge is that I've come across conflicting information online regarding the performance of using a DB versus a regular file (such as Text or JSON). User experience is my priority when creating web applications.

While SQL would allow me to add more features and enhance the app, if it leads to noticeable lag for users, then it's not ideal.

I plan to continuously poll the server with AJAX and PHP to monitor the file/DB for new messages and contact requests.

The chat application will not be just 1-to-1, but will have rooms where multiple users can participate. Users can also initiate private chats for one-on-one interactions.

So, should I go with a MySQL Database or a simpler TEXT/JSON/OTHER file in terms of performance?

Additionally, I prefer not to rely on third-party libraries or APIs due to past disappointments.

Answer №1

If you're interested in developing your own IRC clone, it's important to choose the right tools for the job.

One effective approach is to create a custom HTTP server that operates entirely in memory. By avoiding databases and constant file polling, you can efficiently handle incoming messages by looping through an in-memory list and distributing them to other users. To establish connections between browsers and servers, consider using "Comet" with web sockets for browsers that support this technology.

PHP may not be ideal for this type of project, as its functionality is primarily geared towards short, isolated requests. For a long-running process serving multiple clients in real time, languages like Python or Node.js might be better suited.

Answer №2

Storing chats in files can lead to a management nightmare, so I recommend using MySQL and Sockets instead of AJAX polling for better functionality and scalability.

Integrating socket-based chats with MySQL may not be well-documented, but I have successfully created a basic example which you can find here: https://github.com/andrefigueira/PHP-MySQL-Sockets-Chat

This example uses Ratchet () to create the chat server in PHP.

You can send chat messages to the database by sending the server JSON with user information (assuming you have user sessions set up).

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